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More Undocumented Migrants Are Caught Here Than Anywhere Else. It’s Also Ground Zero for Migrant Deaths.

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Updated: 8:17 PM EST Nov 9, 2018

More Undocumented Migrants Are Caught Here Than Anywhere Else. It’s Also Ground Zero for Migrant Deaths.

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Updated: 8:17 PM EST Nov 9, 2018

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WEBVTT STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MIGHT BEGIN HERE IN THE RIO GRAND VALLEY BUT THEY EXTEND DEEP INTO TEXAS. 70 MILES NORTH OF HERE IS ONE OF THE BORDER PATROL'S LAST LINE OF DEFENSE. ON ANY GIVEN DAY, MORE THAN 30,000 VEEBS CHECK THROUGH THE CHECKPOINT. THE BROOKS COUNTY AREA IS ALSO GROUND ZERO FOR MIGRANT DEATHS DUE TO EXPOSURE. PROGRAMS NO OTHER COUNTY COMPLEMPIFIES THE PROBLEMS THAN BROOKS COUNTY WHERE HUMANITARIAN OUTREACH AND RESENTMENT RUN DEEP. >> IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT WHERE PEOPLE ARE FALLING. SOLEDAD: THE TEXAS BRUSH. DENSE, DUSTY, DECEPTIVE. EACH NEW MILE LOOKS LIKE THE LAST. >> THE TERRAIN ITSELF, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE TEHRAN -- TERRAIN WITH THE NAKED EYE. SHERIFF, BENNY MARTINEZ SAYS IT'S DIFFICULT TO RESPOND TO DISSTRESS CALLS. >> DOES IT GET OVERWHELMING WITH THE 911 CALLS? ABSOLUTELY. SOLEDAD: THE DEPARTMENT HAS FIVE DEPUTIES TRAINED FOR RESCUE AND RECOVERY. THEY COVER 944 SQUARE MILES THIS YEAR THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED ABOUT 800 CALLS FROM UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE LOST, WORRIED AND THIRSTY. >> ONCE YOU GET INTO THAT STAGE OF DEHYDRATION, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE YOU DIE. SOLEDAD: SO FAR THE YEAR THE BODIES OF 44 MIGRANTS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED. IT'S ON TRACK TO EXSEEMED LAST YEAR'S HIGH OF 52. SINCE 2002, THE BODIES AND REMAINS OF MORE THAN 00 MIGRANTS HAVE BEEN FOUND HERE. >> HOW YOU DOING? ARE YOU A CITIZEN? >> YES, SIR. SOLEDAD: MOST DIED TRYING TO BYPASS THE CHECKPOINT SOME 70 MICHAELS AWAY FROM THE BORDER. >> IN IS THE BUSIEST CHECKPOINTS IN THE NATION. SOLEDAD: ON THIS DAY MORE THAN 30 UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS WERE CAUGHT. TO AVOID IT, SOME TAKE THEIR CHANCES IN THE BRUSH AND MEET A WORST FEAT. >> THIS IS A PLOT OF THE UNDIVED GRAVES. >> HE'S INSTALLED ABOUT 175 WATER STATIONS ON PRIVATE BRUSHLAND. >> THERE IS COMPASSION FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC HERE IN BROOKS COUNTY AND A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DROP WATER THEMSELVES. SOLEDAD: MARKED WITH G.P.S. COORDINATE NATE, THE DRINK STATIONS ALSO HAVE ON THEM THE NUMBER TO THE CENTER. >> I CAN PROVIDE WATER, HUMANITARIAN AID, FOOD AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. SOLEDAD: BUT EDY IS GETTING PUSHBACK FROM PEOPLE WHO SAY THE WATER STATIONS ENCOURAGE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. >> I THINK HIS INTENTIONS ARE COMPLETE LITTLE OPPOSITE OF MEANWHILE. I'M NOT SURE HE'S EVER REPORTED A GROUP OR ILLEGAL ALIEN THAT WAS AT ONE OF HIS WATER SOLEDAD: DR. MIKE VICKERS HAS LIVED HERE FOR 30 YEARS. >> THEY DON'T CALL 911. SOLEDAD: IN 2006 HE STARTED THE TEXAS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP REPORT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ON FRIVEMENT LAND. HE SAYS THEY DESTROYED SEVERAL OF HIS FENCES SO HE INSTALLED AN ELECTRIC ONE. >> IT WILL ROLL YOUR EYES BACK AND MAKE YOU WELT YOUR PANTS. I HAVE TO HAVE THAT FENCE. WITHOUT THAT FEDGES, I COULDN'T PUT LIVE STOCK IN THOSE PASTURES BECAUSE THE FENCES WOULD BE TOTALLY DESTROYED WHICH LEAVES ME LIABLE IF LIVESTOCK OR HORSES GET OUT AND SOMEONE HITS THEM. I HAVE TO HAVE ELECTRICITY ON THE FENCE TO SURVIVE HERE AS A RANCHER. SYMPATHETIC TO THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN TRYING TO ESCAPE VIOLENCE IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY BUT SAYS THEY SHOULD FIND A WAY TO COME LEGAL LIVE. >> OUR COUNTRY CANNOT SUSTAIN THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC COMING IN HERE. SOLEDAD: AT THE CHECKPOINT IT'S ABOUT CATCHING AS MANY UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS AS POSSIBLE BUT ONCE THEY'RE IN THE BRUSH, THE MISSION CHANGES. >> THIS IS A WAY TO KEEP THEM ALIVE. NO MORE, NO LESS. SOLEDAD: APE LIVE IN THE DEN

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More Undocumented Migrants Are Caught Here Than Anywhere Else. It’s Also Ground Zero for Migrant Deaths.

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Updated: 8:17 PM EST Nov 9, 2018

More than 70 miles north of border is one of Border Patrol’s last lines of defense against illegal immigration. The Falfurrias check point in Brooks County, TX. Undocumented migrants try to circumvent the checkpoint and end up in brutal brushlands. In Texas, Brooks County is ground zero for migrant deaths due to exposure.

More than 70 miles north of border is one of Border Patrol’s last lines of defense against illegal immigration. The Falfurrias check point in Brooks County, TX. Undocumented migrants try to circumvent the checkpoint and end up in brutal brushlands. In Texas, Brooks County is ground zero for migrant deaths due to exposure.